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September 15, 2011

CTA Urges Governor to Sign ‘Dream Act’ Bill

Contact: Frank Wells at 562-478-1375

BURLINGAME – CTA is urging Gov. Jerry Brown to sign the second part of the “California Dream Act” legislation to give qualified college students access to public financial aid and a chance at a better future.

“Educators are committed to these students who have built their lives in California and who look to society for assistance in achieving and living the American Dream,” said Dean E. Vogel, president of the 325,000-member California Teachers Association. “Denying eligible students equal access to higher education only hampers our economy and hurts the social fabric of our state.”

Vogel called on the governor to sign CTA-supported AB 131, which is already approved by the Legislature. It would make undocumented students studying at state university and community college campuses eligible for Cal Grants, university grants and public loan programs. In July, Gov. Brown signed AB 130, the first part of the Dream Act laws, which made undocumented students eligible for private scholarships.

CTA policy makes it clear that no qualified student should be denied access to higher education programs for lack of funding, regardless of the immigration status of students or their parents. More than 25,000 undocumented students successfully graduate every year from California high schools, according to one estimate.

In a show of solidarity, CTA officials will join leaders of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles at a news conference in Los Angeles today calling on the governor to sign AB 131 to invest in the future of California. ###The 325,000-member CTA is affiliated with the 3.2 million-member National Education Association.